Victory at Sea Imperial Porter

May 1, 2012

Reviewers: Charles Finkel

Ballast Point Brewing Co.

San Diego, CA

Victory at Sea is a 10% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with cold extracted, freshly brewed coffee, specially roasted for us by Cafe Calabria. The addition of vanilla adds a layer of complexity and the result is full flavored, rich and delicious.

ABV: 10

ABW: 7.96

COLOR: n/a

BITTERNESS: n/a

ORIGINAL GRAVITY: n/a

AVAILABLE: AZ, CA, CT, HI, IL, KS, MS, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VA

Porter came from “Entire” a blend of different beers. But why not blend beer with another favorite, a cuppa Joe. The beautiful black robe along with the nose is formidable, sweet and soul satisfying, like walking into a bespoke tobacco shop, all vanilla and cocoa. Fruity and malty flavor is delicious with a dessert of figs, walnuts and 80 percent chocolate infused with pineapple and habanero peppers.- Charles Finkel

Compellingly dark; actually profound. The rich aroma is triumphant and my first bit of nourishment leaves me speechless. There’s dignity lurking in the depths of this voluptuous strong porter. A sipping beer to savor. Rich in cocoa, coffee and vanilla notes. Nothing pedestrian about this brew. Better to sit with this. If I’d a known I’d a hadda hunk of aged gouda in my pocket for accompaniment. Thankfully, easy to love alone.- Charlie Papazian

Charles FinkelFounder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.

Charlie PapazianAuthor of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.